Sunday, February 26, 2012

Saturday, February 25, 2012

At Leisure

While so much of my life is spent not at leisure, I find myself currently at leisure. I am with a friend at the beach. We intended to fish, but 30 mph winds have thrown a kink into things. Beer and conversation must suffice.

I believe that we should banish the term work in favor of a negative version of leisure. "Not at leisure" will do for now.

Come Monday I will be not at leisure. That sounds better, less permanent, than work.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Distraction

Distraction can be a wonderful thing...in moderation.

But, it is stating the obvious to point out that we are totally inundated with distraction of both the wonderful and the soul-draining kind. Today has been full of the soul-draining kind for me, and I am contemplating elimination.

Focus helps.

I find myself even more committed to Leisure, and I slept a pleasant eight hours again last night.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Eight hours

Is blogging a catharsis? I composed my first blog post ever yesterday evening and slept a sound eight hours last night. Coincidence?

Monday, February 20, 2012

Why now?

My name is Mark. I am 43 years old and for nearly all of the last 23 years I have worked in the typical postmodern fashion. My employers have always valued presence over productivity. I now have what many would consider a decent job as a “C” level administrator in public higher education. I am half way to retirement and comfortable. I have a beautiful wife and three wonderful children.

But...something is missing.

I spend most of my days with people who, while they are all decent folks, are not the people I want to spend my days with. I live in a place where my family has lived for generations, but I feel no ties to the place.

I would rather work smarter and less and enjoy more leisure with the people I love.

In nine days my wife will loose her job to a merger. Though it is not a financial disaster for us, we are using it as a motivator for some positive change.

The Basis of Leisure is my story of that change.